The best way to explore the vibrant world of yarns with various patterns and learn about Turkish history is to visit the Istanbul Carpet Museum. There is just one carpet museum in Turkey, and it is located in Istanbul. Carpets and rugs dating back to the Seljuk and Ottoman eras are displayed here, emphasizing Turkish pieces. This museum is a must-see for anybody interested in vibrant carpets of all shapes, sizes, and eras.
Introducing Istanbul Carpet Museum
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque was chosen as the location for constructing this museum in 1979; hence, it is also referred to as the Sultan Ahmed Museum. After a few years, the building that housed the museum was repurposed as the Hagia Sophia Mosque, while the structure that housed the Carpet Museum was transformed into the Ibrahim Pasha Palace. This museum has the only remaining Konya and Milas carpets from the 16th and 17th centuries, the classical era, Caucasian and Turkmen carpets, and the most expensive of the Konya and Milas carpets.
The architecture of the Istanbul Carpet Museum
The Istanbul Carpet Museum has a stone ceiling, and this roof throws a shadow upon the door that leads into the museum. There is a connection between the museum’s design and the large and tiny boards used to exhibit carpets and turntables. This museum has extremely few windows since the architects wanted to protect the rugs from the damaging effects of direct sunlight.
Features of the interior of Carpet Museum
The Istanbul Carpet Museum has been renovated many times to improve its condition and quality with high-security standards and a maintenance system to preserve its works. Among these cases, there are double doors with an electronic system when visitors enter from one hall to another. The reason for using these doors is to maintain each part’s humidity and temperature conditions to better protect centuries-old carpets, along with other advanced technologies, to prevent any damage (humidity, decay, or even sunlight) to the works.
This museum also has over 800 pieces of antiques and a large panel about common motifs in carpets with complete explanations for visitors.
Sections of the Carpet Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul’s Carpet Museum is a two-story structure. The main entrance and the larger rugs are on the ground level, while the smaller ones are above. Works from various periods are shown in the museum’s myriad galleries.
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The first gallery of the Istanbul Carpet Museum
Holiban carpets date back to the Anatolian era and have abstract and geometric motifs. In this museum section, you’ll find some of the most well-known carpets in Turkey, pieces from the Meluk al-Tawaifi era, and Osak carpets from the 16th and 17th centuries.
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The second gallery of the Istanbul Carpet Museum
The second gallery of the Istanbul Carpet Museum is home to antique rugs and carpets from mosques throughout Istanbul, including the Mustafa Mosque. From the 15th to the 20th centuries, these rugs are from the Eastern and Central Anatolian regions.
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The third gallery of the Istanbul Carpet Museum
The museum’s third exhibition features massive Osak carpets from the 17th and 18th centuries, carpets from the Ottoman era, and depictions of the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Blue Mosque. The exhibition also houses the antique rug and carpet collection.
Sightseeing places around Istanbul Carpet Museum
The Fatih neighborhood, where the Istanbul Carpet Museum can be found, is a popular destination for visitors to the city. Its convenient location means that many museum-goers also have time to explore the numerous other attractions in the area. The Bosphorus Strait, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Ibrahim Pasha’s Residence, Sulaymaniyah Mosque, Fatih Mosque, the second-hand book market, the Fener Greek Quarter, the spice market, Aksaray Shopping Center, Bayazid Mosque, St. Irene Church, and… are all within easy traveling distance of the museum.
Hotels near Istanbul Carpet Museum
It is best to first investigate the lodging options in the area before visiting any location. The Bos Sultan Ahmed Hotel, the four-star Arcadia Blue Hotel, the three-star Apple Tree Hotel, the five-star Doso Dosi Downton Hotel, the three-star Peak Hotel, the Ottoman Hotel, etc. are only a few of the hotels near the Istanbul Carpet Museum.
Istanbul Carpet Museum restaurants
Several cafés and restaurants are in the Fateh area. You can relax and enjoy your meals in Istanbul while visiting the Afresh Museum. Dishes from various ethnicities are represented at each of these eateries. Some of the eateries in the area are the Haft Tepe Rooftop Restaurant, Mr. Cook Restaurant, and Mela Asheg Istanbul Outdoor Cafe.
Access ways to the Istanbul Carpet Museum
The Istanbul Carpet Museum is accessible via bus, metro, Marmara Train Line, and tram, which are inexpensive transportation options in Turkey and Istanbul.
